First Avenue held its annual “Best New Bands” this past Wednesday, with it being the 2010 edition of the event. Previous years have featured acts like Lookbook, Red Pens and Peter Wolf Crier, so this year needed to live up to some high expectations. Frankly, I’m not sure if it did or not, as there were some acts that just didn’t work for me. But then again, I didn’t stay the whole time either, but I heard that Pink Mink really brought it.
I did enjoy both BNLX and Phantom Tails, and they were certainly the highlights of the night for me. Phantom Tails played a great set that was highlighted by whale songs at the beginning and the top hatted keyboardist wailing away on both the keys and drum kit (not simultaneously as that would most likely have literally blown my mind). BNLX followed them up with a roaring, guitar-frenzied rendition of “When Doves Cry” that was, for me anyway, better than the original… but then again, I’m not a huge fan of the Purple Yoda. Other acts that nightincluded Grant Cutler and the Gorgeous Lords, who I have heard before and played their low key, brooding music that is totally different from anything that was played when he was in the electronica, pop-oriented Lookbook (a band I really, really wish was still around). That was followed up by the insanity of BadNraD, an 80s synth pop, guitar shredding maniac. I actually sort of liked some of the stuff he played, but it got old pretty fast too. Bands that I did not see included Hastings3000, a one man act that was trying to do his performance from Hawaii over Skype, which totally did not work and was when I left. I was really hoping he would be there in person as he was one of the acts I was really looking forward to seeing. The others were Pink Mink, a rock and roll quartet featuring female leads that has been drawn comparisons to The Runaways, The Goondas, a crazy band of misfits who go crazy on stage and jump into the audience, and a dub step Jayhawks cover band featuring various members of other local bands. Of those last three, I was only wishing to see Pink Mink, but I’m sure I’ll catch them at some other time in the future.
I took a few pictures – none of which are that spectacular as the lighting was dark (obviously) and the camera on my phone is wack in bad lighting. HOWEVER! You can watch the video that I have also included. It is a recap of the show and features all of the acts that were there, PLUS watch out at 2:26 for a big dude in a green stripey shirt as the camera pans over the crowd, because THAT’S TOTALLY ME!
Phantom Tails at First Avenue
BNLX at First Avenue
So, uh... yeah 